Screenwriting : When You Just Don't Feel like Writing by Maurice Vaughan

For me, watching a good movie usually does the trick.

In Portugal, we are an expresso addicted country, so I get out and go to a coffee shop to have a expresso. I watch people, walk, change my mindset and when I return home, my creativity returns. It’s one of my secrets and also my expresso :)))

Hi, Erin Leigh. That works for me too. I'll either get inspired to write, think of things for my script, or solve a problem in my script by watching the movie.

It's like that for me, Sandra Isabel Correia, but I haven't had an expresso before. I want to try one.

Hello! I believe classics are the power to recharge the mind.

In books that have survived for a long time or in classical music that fills emotions and empathy,

I discover things I never read or saw before, encounter new patterns, gain good ideas, or reflect on myself.

Perhaps new writings are reborn through the old ones.

I envy not those who are merely smart, but those who internalize and make it their own.

The time to encounter classics is the moment to gain seeds of new ideas or writings one wants to leave behind.

Ever heard the expression. “Money talks, bullshit walks.” The same to me is alluded to writing. There is no I can’t write when work is to be done. Writer’s type, actors jot.”

Get to writing! Writers!

Oh you need to come to Portugal to have the real expresso Maurice Vaughan. Here we call in Portuguese ‘bica’ or ‘café’. We are a traditional coffee country and it’s different from what you have in USA, who knows one day you come and have one with me :)) In that moment, we recharge our creativity hehehe

Maurice Vaughan Hi Maurice, my dear friend. There’s a Taoist principle called Wu Wei, which means, do not force.

We put stress on ourselves way too much, by thinking that the thing we do is the only thing that gives us purpose or identity. We feel we must be at that keyboard tapping away and trying to make Leo Tolstoy embarrassed by his lack of commitment, when measured against ours.

Sometimes it’s good if we take time away from the keyboard, meditate, go for a walk, make love (not war), go to an art gallery or a concert. we need to be fed, as well as feed others.

The old saying was, “go with the flow”, but sometimes the flow isn’t there for writing. And that’s okay!

The other thing to do is just doodle in a notebook. Find a quiet space to sit and just write down anything that comes to mind. Don’t judge it, just write. That may give you the creative spark or CPR that you need.

You know, I only stop writing when I can’t see the project in my head.

I mean really see it—every detail, every beat, every image. I don’t even need to close my eyes. It’s just there.

And to me, that’s the most important thing: to see what you’re making. Because if you can’t see it—that’s a problem.

But honestly, that happens rarely.

Even when I’m just starting a new project, I’ve already watched it in my mind like a full screening. I know where it works and where it doesn’t. That’s how I know I’m ready.

—Olya Shor, subtitler

I believe so too, Hakhiy Shin. I like listening to classical music when I write, even if I'm writing Horror, Fantasy, Comedy, etc.

I like that idea, Asmaa Jamil! And research can be fun, even the rabbit holes. :D

I'm like that sometimes, Jermar Jerome Smith. Deadlines help too.

I'd love that, Sandra Isabel Correia!

Hi, Geoff Hall. Forcing it works sometimes, but sometimes it makes things worse. Getting away to do something else definitely helps. I haven't tried doodling. Thanks for the idea.

I watch the project in my head too, Aleksandr Rozhnov. It helps me think of ideas, find problems with the story and characters, etc. I also watch the trailer in my head. It also helps me come up with things for the project. Have you watched the trailer in your head before you started a project?

Maurice Vaughan the pomodoro method helps me. If I know I'm just going to spend a few minutes then it's easy, not a huge commitment. And if that first 25 minutes gets me going then I can continue. If not, then at least I did something.

I just looked up the pomodoro method, Tucker Teague. I think this is my first time hearing of it. I'll have to try it for a script. If not 25-minute blocks, maybe 10 minutes, then build up to 20 minutes, 25 minutes, etc. Thanks.

I trick myself (with mixed results). It all boils down to, "well just do one page and see how you feel, then at least you won't be upset you didn't do anything". If I can lock in on one page, then I can usually get at least a couple more in before I realize I'm being way more productive than intended lol.

If I absolutely can’t be bothered to write, it’s my sign to get back to living my life (and maybe also take notes until I hit that bit of gold that makes it imperative I go back to my computer).

I look for a push from a friend...a simple, "got anything I can read" inspires me to jump back to the keyboard and, if I can't find something, I'll start writing something. If only I had friends...

I remind myself "WHY" I wanted to get into the game, and then I'll play some music and do my WINNER'S dance

OR listen to something motivational to give me that kick!

I made my home office more than just a desk and chair. I have my awards on the wall, my whiteboard with my projects and goals, my colored pens and highlighters and post it notes...and my Funko Pops! I also have spiral notebooks and pencils for when I'm not ready for the computer, but want to jot some things down. Before I had a home office, it was a corner of a room in my apartment. But I made it a fun, welcoming space.

I trick myself too, Dawn Prato. Something like "You already wrote five pages. What's two more?"

It's great when that happens, Banafsheh Esmailzadeh. You'll be living life and think of that scene, dialogue, etc. your script needs.

That's a great way to get inspired to jump back to the keyboard, G Robert Frazier. We're your friends. Reach out anytime.

Those are great ways to get inspired to write, Eve Thr! I like the play music and WINNER'S dance idea!

I like that idea, Desiree Middleton! My writing space is plain. Haha Thanks for the idea.

If I can't progress with a current script…

(1) I go to the other one (writing 2 now, as a "juggling experiment" in part for writer's block)

(2) to an outline, or to my viewing queue with writing vlogs/vids/etc

(3) watching clips of the movies/games that inspired my writing

(4) reading the next script in my read queue

Usually in that order. But my read queue has its own time so here it is as a backup only.

I am trying to master "non-useless filler."

Plenty of options, Michael Dzurak. Juggling projects is great for staying in the writing flow.

Reading can help. There are some books I read because the author writes certain things really well, like human nature, friendships, inner thoughts etc. which can help. "When you are consumed by thoughts, write. When you're uninspired, read" - Stephen King

Great quote, Ewan Dunbar! You're right. Reading can help. Reading scripts helps me. I haven't tried books. Thanks for the idea.

I don't force it - forced writing (for me) produces shoddy work. It has to feel real, natural, or at least I need to be able to see the scene in my head... That's my writing technique, by the way xD I see things visually. If it doesn't happen in my head, it's not the direction it's meant to go in.

Forced writing can definitely produce shoddy work, Emilia Maria. I have to force it sometimes to get me to the laptop or if I'm on a deadline though.

Fair comment - I wouldn't know as I'm not on anyone's deadline... yet xD

Discipline. Commitment. Passion and Promise.

Discipline in making an effort every day to either write or study My craft, Listen to webinars, or anything that can help to push my writing to the next level. I believe the simplest definition of discipline is doing it even when you don’t feel like it. Which happens frequently., but in those times, I remind myself that I made a commitment to God to myself Concerning my writing. I realized that being a storyteller is a gift and it also means that I have something to say.. I have found a freedom in writing that I’ve never really found in anything else. To Travel in the past, and the future, or to rewrite the past and dream about a brighter future. The freedom to be whoever I want to be, to create worlds, to say all the things I’ve never been able to say and in that exploration, I find so many things that I didn’t know about myself. When I'm invested in my craft, it keeps me developing and evolving more and it fuels my passion. I’ve learned how to even on my hardest days to take the pain, recycle it and use it as fuel to propel my passion. I hold myself accountable and I made a promise that I will see the finish line on each project no matter how long it takes. I love listening to music as well.

Discipline, Commitment, Passion, and Promise are great ways to get someone back to their computer, tablet, etc., Mone't Bradley! You're right. Being a storyteller is a gift. I like your strategy to get your writing to the next level, and I like that you take the pain, recycle it, and use it as fuel to propel your passion!